Hamill: I had to do to Star Wars

Mark Hamill has admitted he felt he had no choice when it came to signing up for the new Star Wars movie.

The actor is reprising the role of Luke Skywalker in JJ Abrams' Episode VII, more than 30 years after he last played the character, and he told the Orlando Sentinel he felt he had to accept the offer for the sake of Star Wars fans.

"Look, I'm aware that a lot of people don't care one way or another, but for the UPFs - the ultra passionate fans - they would come after me like the angry townspeople with torches in the old Frankenstein pictures," he said.

"I would have a lot to answer for if I didn't at least try to make the effort. It's not like I had a choice. I feel like I was called up for service by the Selective Service."

Mark, 62, said it's been great to be back among his former co-stars.

"I hadn't seen Tony Daniels (C-3PO) or Carrie [Fisher] (Princess Leia) or Harrison [Ford] (Han Solo) or Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) in ages. It was wonderful to see them again, because I didn't expect to," he explained.

"Again, this is all so unexpected. It's like getting out that pair of pants you haven't worn in five years and finding a 20-dollar bill in the pocket. Oh, this is nice."

The actor is busy preparing for his part in the film, which also sees newcomers like Lupita Nyong'o, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis among the cast.

He said: "I've altered my diet. I've started working out. There's that. But on the film itself: I toured the departments, I've looked at wardrobe, and I saw the creature shop. I went around and met all the cast people, saw the technicians working on some new things."